Silicon Imaging introduces integrated stereo 2K camera

Silicon Imaging unveiled the SI-3D camera at the National Association of Broadcasters Convention. The SI-3D stereo camera utilises dual SI-2K Mini heads integrated with a single processor, which mixes and synchs the left- and right-eye images into a single 3D QuickTime file. These can be recorded with the new SI-3D Minideck Recorder, or fed into the new SI-3D Live system for stereoscopic SMPTE HD-SDI broadcast or 2K Cinema playback and projection.

The SI-3D offers filmmakers built-in tools for checking and adjusting camera alignment and parallax shift between the two views. All of the controls are accessible through a simple touch-screen interface. The stereo data is processed in one system, eliminating the need for a separate stereo processor to mix the two signals for a stereo display.

Currently, 3D content is captured from two independent left and right cameras, each with its own settings, color controls, record start, timecode, content management and monitoring outputs. A variety of complex ‘workarounds’ are used to synchronise the recordings or combine the outputs for viewing. Other systems use a fixed optical system with highly compressed H.264 or J2K codecs to record, which either limit 3D depth for close-ups or large scenic views

“When you shoot with two separate cameras, you have to do everything twice, and you need all these other boxes to mix the signal together,” said Ari Presler, CEO of Silicon Imaging. “With the SI-3D, all you do is point the camera, shoot, edit, and then do your 3D grading. This camera makes it all one streamlined process.”

The SI-3D is currently in use on the upcoming Saw VII, which is being shot in 3D in Toronto. “The SI-3D is so compact, we’re even using it for handheld shots,” said Dan Heffner, executive producer on Saw VII. “We’re able to work so fast with this camera, I can’t imagine how we’d have been able to make this movie without it.”